André Bishop, the producing artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater, will step down in 2025 after a 33-year tenure. His departure, along with recent announcements of leadership changes at Second Stage Theater and Roundabout Theater Company, signals potential significant change and uncertainty in the nonprofit theater sector on Broadway. Bishop's stewardship has made Lincoln Center Theater a leading producer of grand Broadway revivals and a supporter of emerging artists. The search for his successor will be conducted by the Lincoln Center Theater board.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, a renowned arts institution in Chicago, has announced layoffs affecting 12% of its staff due to financial struggles caused by the pandemic. The theater's subscription base has decreased, single-ticket sales are down, and expenses have increased. The layoffs come as the theater already reduced its main stage shows and plans to continue shorter seasons for at least three years. Steppenwolf aims to focus on new work, educational programs, and hosting other theaters while making cuts in other areas. The situation reflects the challenges faced by nonprofit theaters across the country, and the city of Chicago is working to develop a plan to support the struggling theater industry.
Nonprofit theaters across the United States are facing a financial crisis as attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels and costs continue to rise. Theaters such as Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles and The Public Theater in New York have already implemented cost-cutting measures and layoffs. The lack of a new model for producing theater and the depletion of government funding have exacerbated the situation. Nonprofit leaders are calling for increased funding from the federal government to support the National Endowment for the Arts and provide grants to theaters. Theaters are also exploring innovative approaches and seeking philanthropic support to navigate the challenging landscape.
